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FAQ About Pilates
What are the benefits of Pilates?
What’s better, mat or equipment Pilates exercies?
Why are personal training sessions with a certified Pilates instructor expensive?
What should I look for in a Pilates Instructor?
Can I get an effective workout with Pilates videos or books?
How often should I do Pilates?
Is Pilates a cardiovascular workout?
Will I lose weight through Pilates exercises?
Will Pilates help me with my knee/shoulder/lower back pain?
How soon will I see or feel results?
How is Pilates different from other fitness regimens?
What can I expect from a beginner class?
WHAT EXACTLY IS PILATES?
Pilates is a system of over 500 controlled exercises that
combines stretching and strengthening into a complete workout. The balanced blend
of strength and flexibility creates long, lean muscles without bulking up. Pilates
first concentration is on strengthening and stabilizing the "powerhouse" (the abdomen,
back and pelvic girdle, and buttocks). Pilates also engages the mind to allow simultaneous
movement of many different muscle groups at the same time. The focus is on quality
of movement therefore less reps are needed. Pilates takes a balanced approach so
that no muscle group is overworked, and the body works as an efficient, holistic
system in daily life.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PILATES?
Pilates takes time to learn,
but the benefits are endless and include:
Improves strength, flexibility and balance
Tones
and builds long, lean muscles without bulk
Challenges deep abdominal muscles
Engages
the mind
Enhances body awareness
Creates efficient movement patterns to prevent injury
Reduces
stress and relieves tension
Restores postural alignment
Promotes recovery from strain
or injury
Increases joint range of motion
Improves circulation
Improves neuromuscular
coordination
Relieves back pain and joint stress
Balances overused and underused muscles
Enhances
stamina
Compliments sports training
Improves ones mind, body and spirit
WHO CAN DO PILATES?
Everyone,
from young to old, from injured to elite athlete can do, and benefit from Pilates.
Pilates workouts are individualized for the needs of each person. The exercises were
designed to be adapted and modified for its participants whether they need to rehabilitate
an injury or be challenged in a deeper way.
WHAT'S BETTER, MAT OR EQUIPMENT PILATES
EXERCISES?
It's not a matter of one being better than another. They are simply different.
The fundamental Pilates mat workout is your body working and resisting against itself.
It increases strength quickly. However, the various equipment pieces such as the
Reformer, Cadillac and Chair incorporate light spring resistance that help to safely
stretch the muscles, and isolate challenging muscle groups. The equipment allows
for deeper stretching, and provides an element of variety. A combination of mat workouts
with equipment workouts is the ideal.
WHY ARE PERSONAL TRAINING SESSIONS WITH A CERTIFIED
PILATES INSTRUCTOR EXPENSIVE?
Pilates instructors are highly trained professionals
who have invested hundreds of hours studying the technique. They learn over 500 exercises
for both the mat and Pilates equipment. They learn the philosophy and theory behind
each movement, spend considerable time observing and mastering proper form and sequences,
and apprentice to fine tune their teaching skills prior to taking a rigorous written
and practical exam. They learn more than just a series of moves, they learn how to
assess their students' posture, how to adapt exercises for various body conditions,
and how to customize the optimum Pilates program for each individual. In addition,
instructors also have continuing education courses each year. This kind of specialized
training, combined with the expenses of furnishing a fully equipped studio, commands
the price tag.
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR IN A PILATES INSTRUCTOR?
Ideally your Pilates
instructor should be certified through a comprehensive Pilates training program,
comprised of lectures, observation, practice, hands-
CAN
I GET AN EFFECTIVE WORKOUT WITH PILATES VIDEOS OR BOOKS?
No, personal instruction
with a Pilates professional is the only way to learn correct form, and ensure you
will not get injured. Many Pilates movements look simple, but are subtle, deep and
challenging. Muscles groups can be difficult to isolate without individual direction.
The smallest adjustment in positioning can make the workout effective. That being
said, books are full of information about the exercises. Many are also comprehensive
in anatomy, which only benefits your workout. Books can compliment and refresh your
brain after a workout. The more you understand the ideals and limitations of a movement,
the better you will be at performing it.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I DO PILATES?
Generally,
2 to 4 times a week is ideal, however, you will feel your body differently even at
one time per week. Regular and consistent practice will help you make the mind-
This is often debated in the Pilates world. Beginning Pilates students will
not get a great cardio workout. There are many exercises to learn, and that takes
time. However, once one knows the routine, and has achieved proper form engaging
all muscles correctly, they could speed up a workout to achieve cardio gains.
WILL
I LOSE WEIGHT THROUGH PILATES EXERCISES?
In essence, Pilates exercise is not a cardiovascular
workout and burning calories is not it's main focus. However, Pilates does build
muscles, and increases metabolism, which aids in weight loss. Pilates also reshapes
and lengthens bulky muscle for a slimmer physique. Alternating Pilates workouts with
cardio work such as brisk walking or swimming, is the most efficient way of achieving
weight loss.
WILL PILATES HELP ME WITH MY KNEE/SHOULDER/LOWER BACK PAIN?
Pilates seems
to be quite effective with rehabilitation and post-
Students should wear comfortable clothes
in which you can easily move. Loose shorts are not recommended. No shoes are worn
during Pilates, but clean socks are required on the Pilates apparatus for health
codes.
HOW SOON WILL I SEE OR FEEL RESULTS?
Results are felt immediately in many ways.
One way is your body, in particular your abs. The second way is through body awareness
in how you move in your daily activities.
HOW IS PILATES DIFFERENT FROM OTHER FITNESS
REGIMENS?
Pilates incorporates the entire body, mind and spirit. It is a gentle and
effective form of exercise that combines eastern and western principles of mental
awareness and physical vitality.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM A BEGINNER CLASS?
The basics
of the Pilates system teaches you about the position, alignment and movement of every
part of your body, and how these parts are interconnected and work with each other.
Pilates also focuses on postural correction and alignment awareness. Overall, you
will notice increased energy and stamina after participating in a Pilates regimen.